Uses of May and Might in Sentences

Uses of May and Might in Sentences

May र Might को प्रयोग — Tips, Situations with Examples

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1. MAY — Uses and Examples

A. Possibility (सम्भावना)

English: We use "may" to talk about something that is possible in the present or future.
Nepali: वर्तमान वा भविष्यमा हुन सक्ने सम्भावना व्यक्त गर्न "may" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
It may rain today.	आज पानी पर्न सक्छ।
She may come to the party.	उनी पार्टीमा आउन सक्छिन्।
He may be at home right now.	उनी अहिले घरमा हुन सक्छन्।
The train may be late.	रेल ढिलो हुन सक्छ।

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B. Permission — Formal (अनुमति — औपचारिक)

English: "May" is used to ask for or give permission in a formal way.
Nepali: औपचारिक रूपमा अनुमति माग्न वा दिन "may" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
May I come in, sir?	सर, म भित्र आउन सक्छु?
May I use your phone?	म तपाईंको फोन प्रयोग गर्न सक्छु?
You may leave now.	तिमी अब जान सक्छौ।
May I sit here?	म यहाँ बस्न सक्छु?

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C. Wish / Blessing (इच्छा / आशीर्वाद)

English: "May" is used to express wishes and blessings.
Nepali: इच्छा र आशीर्वाद व्यक्त गर्न "may" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
May you live long!	तिमी धेरै बाँच्नु!
May God bless you!	भगवानले तिमीलाई आशीर्वाद दिनुहोस्!
May all your dreams come true!	तिम्रा सबै सपना पूरा हुन्!
May you succeed in life!	तिमी जीवनमा सफल होस्!

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D. Purpose / Concession (उद्देश्य / स्वीकार)

English: "May" is used in clauses showing purpose or concession.
Nepali: उद्देश्य वा स्वीकार देखाउने वाक्यांशमा "may" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
He works hard so that he may succeed.	उनी सफल हुन सकून् भनेर मेहनत गर्छन्।
However hard it may be, I will try.	जतिसुकै गाह्रो भए पनि म प्रयास गर्नेछु।
Whatever you may say, I won't change my mind.	तिमी जे भने पनि म मेरो मन परिवर्तन गर्ने छैन।

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E. Formal Prohibition — May Not (औपचारिक निषेध)

English: "May not" shows something is not allowed formally.
Nepali: औपचारिक रूपमा अनुमति छैन भन्न "may not" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
Students may not use mobile phones during exams.	परीक्षाको समयमा विद्यार्थीहरूले मोबाइल फोन प्रयोग गर्न पाउँदैनन्।
Visitors may not enter without permission.	आगन्तुकहरू अनुमति बिना प्रवेश गर्न पाउँदैनन्।

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F. General Truth / Fact (सामान्य सत्य)

English: "May" can describe a general fact.
Nepali: सामान्य तथ्य वर्णन गर्न "may" प्रयोग गर्न सकिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
Too much sugar may cause diabetes.	धेरै चिनीले मधुमेह निम्त्याउन सक्छ।
Regular exercise may improve your health.	नियमित व्यायामले स्वास्थ्य सुधार गर्न सक्छ।

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2. MIGHT — Uses and Examples

A. Weak Possibility (कमजोर सम्भावना)

English: "Might" shows a weaker or less certain possibility than "may."
Nepali: "Might" ले "may" भन्दा कमजोर वा कम निश्चित सम्भावना देखाउँछ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
It might snow tomorrow.	भोलि हिउँ पर्न सक्छ। (सम्भावना कम)
She might not come today.	उनी आज नआउन सक्छिन्।
He might be busy right now.	उनी अहिले व्यस्त हुन सक्छन्।
We might go to Pokhara next month.	हामी अर्को महिना पोखरा जान सक्छौं।

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B. Polite Request (नम्र अनुरोध)

English: "Might" is used for very polite requests.
Nepali: धेरै नम्र अनुरोधका लागि "might" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
Might I ask you a question?	म तपाईंलाई एउटा प्रश्न सोध्न सक्छु?
Might I borrow your pen?	म तपाईंको कलम उधारो लिन सक्छु?
Might I make a suggestion?	म एउटा सुझाव दिन सक्छु?

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C. Past Possibility (विगतको सम्भावना)

English: "Might" is used in reported speech and past possibility.
Nepali: अप्रत्यक्ष कथन र विगतको सम्भावनामा "might" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
He said he might come.	उनले आउन सक्ने बताए।
She might have missed the bus.	उनले बस छुटाएकी हुन सक्छिन्।
They might have already left.	उनीहरू पहिले नै गइसकेका हुन सक्छन्।

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D. Suggestion (सुझाव)

English: "Might" is used to make gentle suggestions.
Nepali: नरम सुझाव दिन "might" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
You might want to see a doctor.	तिमी डाक्टरलाई भेट्न चाहन सक्छौ।
We might try a different approach.	हामी फरक तरिका प्रयास गर्न सक्छौं।
You might like this book.	तिमीलाई यो किताब मन पर्न सक्छ।

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E. Conditional Sentences (सर्तमूलक वाक्य)

English: "Might" is used in conditional sentences.
Nepali: सर्तमूलक वाक्यमा "might" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
If you hurry, you might catch the train.	तिमी हतार गरे रेल समात्न सक्छौ।
If I had known, I might have helped.	मलाई थाहा भए म मद्दत गर्न सक्थें।
If she studied more, she might pass.	उनले बढी पढे पास हुन सक्थिन्।

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F. Purpose (उद्देश्य)

English: "Might" is used in past purpose clauses.
Nepali: विगतको उद्देश्य वाक्यांशमा "might" प्रयोग गरिन्छ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
He studied hard so that he might pass.	उनी पास हुन सकून् भनेर मेहनत गरे।

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G. Might + Have + V3 (Past Speculation)

English: "Might have" shows a past possibility.
Nepali: "Might have" ले विगतको सम्भावना देखाउँछ।

English Example	Nepali Meaning
She might have forgotten our meeting.	उनले हाम्रो भेट बिर्सेकी हुन सक्छिन्।
They might have taken the wrong road.	उनीहरूले गलत बाटो लिएका हुन सक्छन्।
He might have lost his keys.	उनले साँचो हराएका हुन सक्छन्।

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3. KEY DIFFERENCES — May vs Might

मुख्य भिन्नताहरू

Feature	MAY	MIGHT
Possibility	Stronger possibility (बलियो सम्भावना)	Weaker possibility (कमजोर सम्भावना)
Formality	Formal (औपचारिक)	Very polite / Formal (धेरै नम्र)
Permission	Formal permission (औपचारिक अनुमति)	Very polite permission (धेरै नम्र अनुमति)
Time	Present / Future (वर्तमान / भविष्य)	Past / Present (विगत / वर्तमान)
Certainty	~50% possible	~30% possible
Example	It may rain.	It might rain.
Nepali	पानी पर्न सक्छ।	पानी पर्न सक्छ। (कम सम्भावना)

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4. SITUATIONS TO USE — कहिले प्रयोग गर्ने?

Use MAY when:

• ✅ Strong possibility (बलियो सम्भावना)
• ✅ Formal permission (औपचारिक अनुमति)
• ✅ Wishes and blessings (इच्छा र आशीर्वाद)
• ✅ Formal prohibition (औपचारिक निषेध)
• ✅ Purpose clauses (उद्देश्य वाक्यांश)

Use MIGHT when:

• ✅ Weak possibility (कमजोर सम्भावना)
• ✅ Very polite requests (धेरै नम्र अनुरोध)
• ✅ Past possibility (विगतको सम्भावना)
• ✅ Gentle suggestions (नरम सुझाव)
• ✅ Conditional sentences (सर्तमूलक वाक्य)
• ✅ Reported speech (अप्रत्यक्ष कथन)

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5. TIPS — सुझावहरू

1. May = Stronger, Might = Weaker

• May → बलियो सम्भावना
• Might → कमजोर सम्भावना

2. For formal permission, use "may"

• "May I come in?" (औपचारिक)
• "Can I come in?" (अनौपचारिक)

3. "Might" is the past form of "may" in reported speech

• "I may come" → He said he might come.

4. "May" is used for wishes

• May you succeed! (तिमी सफल होस्!)

5. "Might have" + V3 = Past speculation

• She might have left. (उनी गइसकेकी हुन सक्छिन्।)

6. "May not" vs "Might not"

• May not = formal prohibition (औपचारिक निषेध)
• Might not = weak negative possibility (कमजोर नकारात्मक सम्भावना)

7. In modern English, "may" and "might" are often interchangeable for possibility

• "May" and "might" can both express possibility.
• "Might" usually sounds less certain.
• आधुनिक अंग्रेजीमा सम्भावनाका लागि दुवै प्रयोग हुन्छन्, तर "might" कम निश्चित सुनिन्छ।

8. Never use "to" after may/might

• ❌ He may to come.
• ✅ He may come.

9. Never use "may/might" with "will" in the same clause

• ❌ I will may come.
• ✅ I may come.
• ✅ I will possibly come.

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6. COMMON MISTAKES — सामान्य गल्तीहरू

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct	Nepali
May you are happy.	May you be happy.	तिमी खुसी होस्।
He may came yesterday.	He may have come yesterday.	उनी हिजो आएको हुन सक्छ।
Might I to ask a question?	Might I ask a question?	म एउटा प्रश्न सोध्न सक्छु?
She might have went.	She might have gone.	उनी गइसकेकी हुन सक्छिन्।
He may to join us.	He may join us.	उनी हामीसँग सामेल हुन सक्छन्।

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7. 20 EXAMPLES — २० उदाहरणहरू

MAY — 10 Examples

#	Situation	English	Nepali
1	Possibility	It may rain this evening.	आज साँझ पानी पर्न सक्छ।
2	Possibility	She may be late for the meeting.	उनी बैठकमा ढिलो आउन सक्छिन्।
3	Formal Permission	May I come in, sir?	सर, म भित्र आउन सक्छु?
4	Formal Permission	May I use your laptop?	म तपाईंको ल्यापटप प्रयोग गर्न सक्छु?
5	Wish / Blessing	May you live a long and happy life!	तिमी लामो र खुसी जीवन बाँच्नु!
6	Wish / Blessing	May God bless your family!	भगवानले तिम्रो परिवारलाई आशीर्वाद दिनुहोस्!
7	Purpose	He studies hard so that he may pass.	उनी पास हुन सकून् भनेर मेहनत गर्छन्।
8	Concession	However difficult it may be, don't give up.	जतिसुकै गाह्रो भए पनि हार नमान।
9	Formal Prohibition	Students may not smoke on campus.	विद्यार्थीहरू क्याम्पसमा धूम्रपान गर्न पाउँदैनन्।
10	General Truth	Lack of sleep may affect your memory.	निद्राको कमीले सम्झनामा असर गर्न सक्छ।

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MIGHT — 10 Examples

#	Situation	English	Nepali
11	Weak Possibility	It might snow in the mountains.	पहाडमा हिउँ पर्न सक्छ।
12	Weak Possibility	He might not join us tonight.	उनी आज राति हामीसँग सामेल नहुन सक्छन्।
13	Polite Request	Might I ask you a personal question?	म तपाईंलाई व्यक्तिगत प्रश्न सोध्न सक्छु?
14	Polite Permission	Might I borrow your umbrella?	म तपाईंको छाता उधारो लिन सक्छु?
15	Past Possibility	She might have forgotten the appointment.	उनले अपोइन्टमेन्ट बिर्सेकी हुन सक्छिन्।
16	Past Possibility	They might have taken the wrong road.	उनीहरूले गलत बाटो लिएका हुन सक्छन्।
17	Suggestion	You might want to rest for a while.	तिमी अलिकति आराम गर्न चाहन सक्छौ।
18	Suggestion	We might try calling her again.	हामी उसलाई फेरि फोन गर्न सक्छौं।
19	Conditional	If you leave now, you might catch the bus.	तिमी अब निस्के बस समात्न सक्छौ।
20	Reported Speech	He said he might visit us next week.	उनले अर्को हप्ता हामीलाई भेट्न आउन सक्ने बताए।

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8. MAY vs MIGHT vs CAN vs COULD — Comparison Table

Word	Possibility	Permission	Politeness	Nepali
Can	Strong	Informal	Informal	सक्छु
Could	Weak	Polite	Very polite	सक्थें / सक्नुहुन्छ?
May	Strong	Formal	Formal	सक्छ / सक्छु?
Might	Very weak	Very formal	Very polite	सक्छ (कम सम्भावना)

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9. MAY/MIGHT + HAVE + V3 — Past Speculation Table

English	Nepali	Meaning
He may have left already.	उनी पहिले नै गइसकेका हुन सक्छन्।	Strong past possibility
He might have left already.	उनी पहिले नै गइसकेका हुन सक्छन्।	Weak past possibility
She may have missed the train.	उनले रेल छुटाएकी हुन सक्छिन्।	Strong past possibility
She might have missed the train.	उनले रेल छुटाएकी हुन सक्छिन्।	Weak past possibility

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10. MAY vs MIGHT in Questions — प्रश्नमा प्रयोग

English	Nepali	Note
May I help you?	म तपाईंलाई मद्दत गर्न सक्छु?	Formal offer
Might I help you?	म तपाईंलाई मद्दत गर्न सक्छु?	Very formal/polite
May I ask something?	म केही सोध्न सक्छु?	Formal permission
Might I ask something?	म केही सोध्न सक्छु?	Very polite permission

 

20 More Examples Using May and Might

थप २० उदाहरणहरू — May र Might को प्रयोग

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MAY — 10 More Examples (थप १० उदाहरणहरू)

1. Possibility — Business (सम्भावना — व्यापार)

English	Nepali
The company may open a new branch in Nepalgunj.	कम्पनीले नेपालगन्जमा नयाँ शाखा खोल्न सक्छ।

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2. Possibility — Education (सम्भावना — शिक्षा)

English	Nepali
The school may introduce online classes next year.	विद्यालयले अर्को वर्ष अनलाइन कक्षा सुरु गर्न सक्छ।

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3. Possibility — Environment (सम्भावना — वातावरण)

English	Nepali
Air pollution may worsen during winter.	हिउँदमा वायु प्रदूषण बढ्न सक्छ।

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4. Formal Permission — Hospital (औपचारिक अनुमति — अस्पताल)

English	Nepali
May I see the patient now, doctor?	डाक्टर, म अब बिरामीलाई भेट्न सक्छु?

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5. Formal Permission — Bank (औपचारिक अनुमति — बैंक)

English	Nepali
May I speak to the manager, please?	कृपया म प्रबन्धकसँग कुरा गर्न सक्छु?

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6. Wish / Blessing — New Year (इच्छा / आशीर्वाद — नयाँ वर्ष)

English	Nepali
May the new year bring you peace and prosperity!	नयाँ वर्षले तिमीलाई शान्ति र समृद्धि ल्याओस्!

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7. Wish / Blessing — Journey (इच्छा / आशीर्वाद — यात्रा)

English	Nepali
May your journey be safe and pleasant!	तिम्रो यात्रा सुरक्षित र आनन्दमय होस्!

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8. Purpose — Social Work (उद्देश्य — सामाजिक कार्य)

English	Nepali
They collect funds so that they may help flood victims.	बाढी पीडितहरूलाई मद्दत गर्न सकून् भनेर उनीहरू रकम संकलन गर्छन्।

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9. Formal Prohibition — Hospital (औपचारिक निषेध — अस्पताल)

English	Nepali
Visitors may not bring food into the ICU.	आगन्तुकहरूले आईसीयूमा खाना ल्याउन पाउँदैनन्।

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10. General Truth — Exercise (सामान्य सत्य — व्यायाम)

English	Nepali
Walking daily may lower your blood pressure.	दैनिक हिँडाइले रक्तचाप कम गर्न सक्छ।

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MIGHT — 10 More Examples (थप १० उदाहरणहरू)

11. Weak Possibility — Weather (कमजोर सम्भावना — मौसम)

English	Nepali
It might be foggy in the Terai this morning.	आज बिहान तराईमा कुहिरो लाग्न सक्छ।

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12. Weak Possibility — Economy (कमजोर सम्भावना — अर्थतन्त्र)

English	Nepali
Prices might rise again next month.	अर्को महिना मूल्य फेरि बढ्न सक्छ।

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13. Polite Request — Direction (नम्र अनुरोध — बाटो)

English	Nepali
Might I ask you for directions to the museum?	म तपाईंलाई संग्रहालयको बाटो सोध्न सक्छु?

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14. Polite Permission — Ceremony (नम्र अनुमति — समारोह)

English	Nepali
Might I take a photograph of the ceremony?	म समारोहको तस्बिर खिच्न सक्छु?

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15. Past Possibility — Accident (विगतको सम्भावना — दुर्घटना)

English	Nepali
The driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel.	चालकले स्टेरिङमा सुतेको हुन सक्छ।

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16. Past Possibility — Crime (विगतको सम्भावना — अपराध)

English	Nepali
The thief might have escaped through the back door.	चोरले पछाडिको ढोकाबाट भागेको हुन सक्छ।

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17. Suggestion — Technology (सुझाव — प्रविधि)

English	Nepali
You might want to back up your files first.	तिमी पहिले आफ्ना फाइलहरू ब्याकअप गर्न चाहन सक्छौ।

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18. Suggestion — Cooking (सुझाव — पकाउने)

English	Nepali
Adding a little ginger might improve the taste.	अलिकति अदुवा हाल्दा स्वाद सुधार हुन सक्छ।

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19. Conditional — Career (सर्तमूलक — करियर)

English	Nepali
If you learn coding, you might get a better job.	तिमीले कोडिङ सिके राम्रो जागिर पाउन सक्छौ।

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20. Reported Speech — Weather (अप्रत्यक्ष कथन — मौसम)

English	Nepali
The forecast said it might rain heavily tonight.	मौसम पूर्वानुमानले आज राति भारी वर्षा हुन सक्ने बतायो।

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Quick Summary Table / छिटो सारांश तालिका

#	Situation	Word	English	Nepali
1	Business	May	Company may open a branch.	शाखा खोल्न सक्छ।
2	Education	May	School may introduce online classes.	कक्षा सुरु गर्न सक्छ।
3	Environment	May	Pollution may worsen.	बढ्न सक्छ।
4	Permission	May	May I see the patient?	भेट्न सक्छु?
5	Permission	May	May I speak to the manager?	कुरा गर्न सक्छु?
6	Blessing	May	May the new year bring peace!	शान्ति ल्याओस्!
7	Blessing	May	May your journey be safe!	यात्रा सुरक्षित होस्!
8	Purpose	May	So that they may help victims.	मद्दत गर्न सकून् भनेर।
9	Prohibition	May	Visitors may not bring food.	ल्याउन पाउँदैनन्।
10	General Truth	May	Walking may lower blood pressure.	कम गर्न सक्छ।
11	Weather	Might	It might be foggy.	कुहिरो लाग्न सक्छ।
12	Economy	Might	Prices might rise.	बढ्न सक्छ।
13	Polite Request	Might	Might I ask for directions?	सोध्न सक्छु?
14	Polite Permission	Might	Might I take a photo?	खिच्न सक्छु?
15	Past Possibility	Might	Driver might have fallen asleep.	सुतेको हुन सक्छ।
16	Past Possibility	Might	Thief might have escaped.	भागेको हुन सक्छ।
17	Suggestion	Might	You might want to back up.	ब्याकअप गर्न चाहन सक्छौ।
18	Suggestion	Might	Ginger might improve taste.	सुधार हुन सक्छ।
19	Conditional	Might	You might get a better job.	पाउन सक्छौ।
20	Reported Speech	Might	Forecast said it might rain.	वर्षा हुन सक्ने बतायो।

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Bonus — Advanced Usage Tips / थप उपयोगी सुझावहरू

1. May/Might + Continuous (निरन्तर सम्भावना)

English	Nepali
She may be studying right now.	उनी अहिले पढिरहेकी हुन सक्छिन्।
He might be sleeping.	उनी सुतिरहेका हुन सक्छन्।
They may have been waiting for hours.	उनीहरू घण्टौंदेखि पर्खिरहेका हुन सक्छन्।

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2. May/Might + Have + Been + V4 (विगतको निरन्तर सम्भावना)

English	Nepali
He might have been working late.	उनी ढिलोसम्म काम गरिरहेका हुन सक्छन्।
She may have been crying.	उनी रोइरहेकी हुन सक्छिन्।

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3. May/Might for Contrast (विपरित अर्थ)

English	Nepali	Note
He may be rich, but he is not happy.	उनी धनी हुन सक्छन्, तर खुसी छैनन्।	Concession
She might be young, but she is wise.	उनी जवान हुन सक्छिन्, तर बुद्धिमान छिन्।	Concession

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4. May/Might in Suggestion vs Permission (सुझाव vs अनुमति)

English	Nepali	Use
You might try this restaurant.	तिमी यो रेस्टुरेन्ट प्रयास गर्न सक्छौ।	Suggestion
May I try this restaurant?	म यो रेस्टुरेन्ट प्रयास गर्न सक्छु?	Permission

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5. May vs Might — Nepali Translation Difference (नेपाली अनुवाद भिन्नता)

English	Nepali	Certainty
It may rain.	पानी पर्न सक्छ।	~50%
It might rain.	पानी पर्न सक्छ। (सायद)	~30%
It may well rain.	पानी पर्न सक्छ। (निश्चित जस्तै)	~70%
It might just rain.	पानी पर्न सक्छ। (थोरै सम्भावना)	~20%

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6. Common Nepali-English Mistakes (नेपाली-अंग्रेजी सामान्य गल्ती)

❌ Wrong	✅ Correct	Nepali
He may comes tomorrow.	He may come tomorrow.	उनी भोलि आउन सक्छन्।
She might be went.	She might have gone.	उनी गइसकेकी हुन सक्छिन्।
May I to sit here?	May I sit here?	म यहाँ बस्न सक्छु?
He might can do it.	He might be able to do it.	उनी यो गर्न सक्ने हुन सक्छन्।